In the first of 4 weeks of travel through Shikoku’s 4 prefectures, travel writer and photographer duo Jamie Lafferty and Katy Morrison start their journey in Tokushima Prefecture 「徳島県」. This marks the beginning of the Smiles of Shikoku project, which see the pair “live traveling” (i.e. traveling while posting on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

Home of the great Awa Dance Festival (阿波踊り / Awa Odori) which attracts over 1 million visitors every year, Tokushima Prefecture has plenty to offer the traveler, including historic temples, the beginning of the 1200 km long Shikoku Pilgrimage, unique foods, wildlife, nature and more!

Following in the footsteps of the two lucky travellers, let’s see what Tokushima has to offer…

Naruto City 「鳴門市」

Naruto City is in the north-east corner of Tokushima Prefecture, not far from Osaka by bus or car. The area is famous for its whirlpools which can be seen in the strait between Tokushima Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture to the north.

Main gate of Ryozen-ji Temple

Ryozen-ji (霊山寺) Temple is the first temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路 Shikoku Henro), a route comprising 1200km and 88 official pilgrimage temples.

Lanters inside Ryozen-ji Temple

“Thousand origami cranes” / senbazuru

The thousand origami crane chains can be found at many Japanese temples, is a symbol of good fortune. People from all over the world send origami cranes to Japan, especially to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park.

Origami cranes at Ryozen-ji Temple

A sacred straw rope surrounds this centuries old tree. Located at Gokuraku-ji (極楽寺) Temple, the second of 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japanese have a close relation with nature, and the tree is known as “The Cedar of Long Life”. If you touch it while praying, the kami will bless you with long life.

Every place in Japan is famous for some kind of food. Naruto City is famous for its sweet potatoes, known as some of the best in the world.

“Naruto Kintoki” / Naruto Sweet Potatoes

Iya Valley 「祖谷渓」

One of the unofficial top Three Hidden Regions (三大秘境 / sandaihikkyo), the Iya Valley is mountainous and remote. Not even the rain could stop these travellers, as they checked out a very lush area of Japan.

Iya Kazurabashi Bridge in the Iya Valley during the rainy season

Traditional senkichi soba noodle restaurant in the Iya Valley

“Manikin Peeing Boy Statue” on a 200m high cliff

This is definitely a “must-do” when you visit Japan. No, not peeing off a 200m high cliff – staying in traditional Japanese accommodation. Iya Valley has some very nice, very traditional places to stay – if it wasn’t for the powerpoint in the photo below, this picture could be straight out of 16th century Japan.

Traditional Japanese accommodation: fireplace and futons under a thatched roof

The Iya River winds through the valley and gives tourist an adventurous way to explore the scenery.

White Water Rafting in Iya Valley

A feast at Iya Valley

Across Japan, Tokushima is most well known for the Awa Odori (The Awa Dance Festival). Over 1 million people come to Tokushima for the 4 day dancing festival. Large groups from different areas perform the dance in the streets. The most iconic dancers are definitely the ladies you see in the photo below – who are doing a demonstration dance.